Here’s a look at the Israeli election process, along with some great links, from Rachel Kaplan, a Shlicha (Emissary) of the Jewish Agency for Israel, currently working with Hillel in Toronto:
Gradually and quietly, almost without noticing, Israel reached its Elections Day. Over five million eligible voters will go to vote; any citizen over 18, Jewish or Arab, man or woman, religious or secular will get to cast their vote, choosing their party to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.
 Israeli general elections are based on six principles:
They are open for all citizens over the age of 18, they take place on the national level, they are direct (i.e., each citizen chooses directly the party he wishes to see in the parliament), they are confidential, they are relative (proportionate in number seats) and are equal (i.e., each vote is equal regardless of the voter).
Twenty-four parties are participating in the elections; from the left to the right, through parties for marijuana legalization to the pensioners’ party, from Arab Communist to Green party. And even so, all eyes look at Kadima (Livni), Likud (Netanyhu), Labor (Barak) and Israel Our Home (Lieberman).
Likud and Kadima are close in the sample polls (between 25-29 seats, out of 120); Lieberman’s party shows a significant increase (from 11 seats to potential 18) and a decrease in the Labor’s power (from 18 seats to 12). A stable government will need to put together a coalition of at least 61 seats.
 Whereas we often focus on “security” matters like settlements, kassams and the peace process, Israel faces many challenges of no lesser significance: Iran, economic crisis, social gaps, Israeli Arabs, state-religion and more. In each election, I, as most Israelis, pray that the current “burning” issue would be global warming and such, but tragically, we all get captured in the challenge we face daily – our security and our future as a Jewish State.
 Israel enjoys one of the highest percentages of elections participation, but these too have declined in the last elections just in 2006 to just a little over 70%. People my age, even my friends, feel demoralized to go vote and choose between one poor choice to another, placing faith in representatives who failed them before. This time the large parties put a special effort in convincing the young adults to go and vote, promising a change, assuring them: “yes we can.”
 At 3 PM  EST, the exit polls will be advertised and they might reflect a preliminary prediction of the results. More interesting will be the “day after” when the various parties will need to tell the President who they recommend to establish a coalition (and more importantly who Lieberman, from the right wing camp will support: Livni or Bibi and how the political map will consequently change).
Another rule at the Israeli elections is that only Israelis who are present in Israel at the time of the elections can vote. Unlike the US, one cannot vote “long distance.” The explanation is simple: many Israelis who choose to live outside of Israel – whether traveling or for work or school –  cannot influence what happens directly in Israel. This, fortunately, does not apply to formal Israeli government officials or diplomatic corps. And so, 10 days ago, I got to vote at the Israeli consulate, casting my choice for the next government, taking into consideration also what I’ve learned here, on and off campus.
 Alhough my personal choice is irrelevant, I know you share with me the hope for better times, quieter times, and peace in our time.
Helpful links, additional info and analysis.
If you would like to know where you are on the Israeli Political Map – take the next quiz that will analyze your views: http://israel.kieskompas.nl/
 Parties platforms as put together by the Jewish Agency for Israel: http://www.makomisrael.org/NR/rdonlyres/74936643-DBF9-4BDE-814F-735C5FE8B5F5/68916/PartyPlatformsElections2009_2_.pdf
Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel 2009 http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/elections2009.jhtml?contrassID=1&subContrassID=32
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